My SO and I took this past Friday off to go away for the weekend for our 8 year anniversary which is this weekend coming but we decided to celebrate a week early. We left our boy with SO’s parents like we always do when we go away and checked into a hotel by the beach about 35 minutes from their house. At about 2pm on Friday SO got a call from his dad, when I saw my SO’s face change I knew something was seriously wrong, I thought he had gotten out or something silly like that.

Our baby drowned, he slipped into the pool while no one was around and couldn’t get out. We have left him in the pool area a hundred times, heck a million times and he has not once gone near the pool, he usually sticks to the massive grassy area and the back deck where is bed was. His back legs have been getting weaker of late and he had been on arthritis injections for the past 4 months so all we can think is that he got too close to the edge of the pool and his legs may have given out and he slipped in, he wouldn’t have had the strength to swim.

My SO’s older sister found him floating in the pool when she took her son up for a swim. She started screaming and calling their her dad and brother, SO’s dad jumped in the pool right away and got him out and SO’s brother immediately started CPR and tried so so hard to bring him back but it was too late. Just typing what happened makes my whole body feel cold all over and I am shaking.

We drove straight from the hotel to SO’s parents house and everyone was standing around waiting for us, they had placed Clyde in the back of the car and had wrapped him in a sheet, when SO pulled back the sheet and we saw our beautiful boy we both lost it, how can he be here one minute and gone the next?

We chose to have him cremated and we got his ashes back yesterday, I thought it would help but I still feel so lost. It has been just my SO, Clyde and I for the last 8 years.. what are we supposed to do now? He was king of our house, he slept on the bed most nights and I spooned him, he sat on the couch, he went in the car with us. Our house is so quiet, no little click clack of claws walking down the hallway to come to bed, no doggy snuggles and kisses, no more snoring – I just can’t comprehend it. Everything hurts.

The worst part is – I didn’t say goodbye. The thing is, Clyde has a unique bark, it sounds like a mix between a dolphin and a dog and it’s super cute at first but can get really annoying after awhile.. well he does this when he wants attention and he had been doing it all Friday morning but finally was quiet, so instead of going out the back yard to say goodbye (and start his barking up again) I snuck out the front so he wouldn’t hear me.. I’m so stupid!!! The one day that I don’t say goodbye and give him his usual cuddle and kiss is the one day that he NEEDED it! I think the last thing I said to him was “shut up” because he’d been barking all morning. I will never forgive myself and every time I think about it my heart hurts.

I’m going to miss every little thing about him, how he used to sit on the mat outside the shower while SO and I were in there and wait for us, how he used to sit on my feet while I went to the bathroom (if I closed the door fully he would head-butt it and whinge until I opened it for him to come in), how he used to sit at the clothes line with me and wait while I hung out the laundry, watching movies with him snuggled into my side, kissing his nose, his snores, everything.

To my SO and I he wasn’t just a dog, he was our baby and now he is gone forever.

Brickette: I am so sorry for your loss. It is obvious how much you cared for Clyde. It is easy to tell from the photos that he was a happy guy and had a peaceful, wonderful life. I am sure he knew how much he was loved.

I am so sorry, I want to reach through the computer and give you a hug. I’m so familiar with the pain of losing a pet, it is the hardest thing I have yet to experience. I’m so sorry you didn’t get to say goodbye, but your boy knew that you loved him! Take comfort in the great years you had together.

Take a few days to grieve. Cry, laugh, eat a tub of ice cream. Sending positive thoughts your way <3

Brickette: I am so sorry for your loss. My heart broke reading your story. My dog is my baby too so I can’t imagine what you are going through. Know that even if your last words to him weren’t what you would have ideally wanted, what he knew was the unconditional love from you and your SO. Lots of hugs.

Oh I am so so so sorry for your loss- Clyde was such a cutie, and it looks like he definitely knew how much you loved him! Grab some wine, chocolate, and ice cream and take some time to grieve. Big hugs.

My heart broke reading your story, and then when I saw it was a pittie I really started to cry. They’re amazing dogs (I have my Cashmere, a pit/boxer mix). Trust me when I say they’re incredibly intelligent, and he felt your love his whole life. For bully breeds who are so often misunderstood and mistreated, it’s heartwarming to see how much you loved and cared for your pup.

We rescued Clyde when he was only a year old, he was one day away from death row when we called the rescue place asking about a Staffordshire Bull Terrier we were told that there were two available for adoption and when SO went to pick one he said that when Clyde came running up to him covered in mud and panting there was never a doubt in his mind that he was the only choice.

For the last 5 days SO and I have been glued to each other, one of us will cry while the other comfots and then about an hour later we seem to switch roles. Today is our first day back at work after taking Monday and Tuesday off and I made it all day until writing this post without crying, that is certainly something!

I lost my cat almost 2 months ago. It still hurts so much to think about. It doesn’t get easier, and nothing anyone can say will truly be of comfort, but you know in your heart you gave him a great life.

I am truly so sorry and sad for both of you. I have tears rolling down my cheek. Four legged children are loved just the same as two logged children. I’m glad you have his ashes. In time you will find comfort knowing you still have him with you. I hope you find peace and comfort in your hearts and forgive yourself as well.

Try to gain comfort from the knowledge that he had a wonderful, happy life with you and at least he went quickly. I’ve seen a lot of animals really suffer as their body gets old and starts to break down and aside from some recent arthritis he never had to go through that. I know somewhere he is looking down on you with love.

I totally empathize. I’m sorry you lost your pet, especially in a tragic way and while you were gone. He looks like he lived to a ripe age, happy and shown the love every dog deserves. Take the time to remember him, grieve and heal. He will always be a part of you. *hugs*

I’m so sorry for your loss. My 12 year old toy poodle Jane was put to sleep recently from complications from an enlarged heart. Though she lived to almost 13 years, I still feel like she had so much life left in her.

We have a new puppy now, as of last Sunday, but I will always miss Jane. I feel that her presence is still here, and weirdly enough, our puppy Francesca seems to notice (stop and stare at nothing and then back up slowly as if she’s afraid) and bark at nothing. I’ve heard dogs can detect spirits, but I never believed until I saw that.

Again, I’m so sorry for your loss and I wish all the best to you and your family.

I am so heartbroken for you. I am so sorry for your loss. I know you can’t help it but please don’t beat yourself up that you didn’t say goodbye that morning. I am sure your little baby knew that you loved him with all your heart each and every day. Massive cyber hugs xxx